Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-12-30

v
Recently there have been given In the
newspapers sesersi accounts Of the deaths
Of young boys esused BY the excessive use
of the csesrette in smoking, One Of these
cases tq0k place in Philadelphia, another
n Hammonton, New jersey and another
in New York city, vouched for by the
Tribune. There was no doubt 10 the
minds Of the attending physicians. that the
death Of these misguided boys was the re-
suit Of their cigarette smoking, and it is the
opinion Of New York physicians that there
are now in that city at least 1900 cases of
impaired health caused by the poisonous
and disgusting habit Of polluting the lungs
and nerves with the cigarette, and these
cases Of poisoning are by no means con-
fined to the boys. All intelligent medical
practitioners have clearly defined views
concerning the harm done to boys from the
use OF tobacco. Some Of the most eminent
physicians Of the land claim that it stunts
their growth and sows the seeds OF dis
eases which, in subsequent years. develope
az throat diseases, lung troubles, dyspep-
| sia, and that general debility Of the system
which IL a source Of misfortune and misery.
Probably few Of our older citizens are
aware what change in the smoking habit
has been caused by the introduction Of the
cigarette. The Spaniards and Italians of
| Europe and South America, a. well as
other Southern peoples, have been longer
accustomed to its use, but in far greater
moderation than practiced By American
boys and men. II can be purchased
cheaply, Is quickly used, and can be easily
concealed from the eyes Of father, mother,
and teacher who cares for the health and
good manners Of his pupils. 1t is sold
in the cities and large towns at the small
! groceries and shops, and large number
OF boys from seven years Of age and up
wards buy and puff away the vile stuff
tucked away in paper roll. 1t Is time
for all thoughtful persons-those who
care FOR the rising generation, and have
patriotism enough to warm their breasts
for their country's wclfare--to take such
a course Of action on this subject, and to
show such examples, as duty plainly re-
quires. Moral and intellectual instruction
and wholesome public opinion can do
much to abate this alarming evil
Illinois has law which makes it an
offense, punishable by a fine Of $40 for
every violation, to "sell, buy for, or
furnish any cigar or cigarette or tobacco
in any OF its forms to any minor under l6
years Of age, unless upon the written
order Of parent or garJian." This meas
ure was enacted largely through the ex-
ertions Of the teachers in the public
schools who found it impossible in any
other way to stop the smoking habit of
young boys and even girls in the school
buildings and yards. Massachusetts, also
has a stringent law against the selling of
the little rolls OF poison, but it is not 40
well enforced as it will be when the citi-
zens Of that State are fully aroused to the
proportions of the evil sought to be
checked.
According TO the reports OF the revenue
department OF the government there were
manufactured last year l,200, 900
| cigarettes, and, "a an equal number prob
ably were made by the smokers them
selves, there were at least 2,400, 000, 900
cigarettes consumed, and even this total
does not include the $4,000, 900 or more
imported from foreign countries. This
would give about 100 cigarettes to every
male, and As the larger part Of them are
smoked by youths under Is years of age,
| the total for each smoker Is largely in
creased. 1t is well enough to send Ameri-
can men and women to teach better
civilization to the people Of China, Japan,
and India, but the facts show great mis-
sionary opportunities in our own land.